Astoria Mommas!

A few months ago, I met a group of moms and babies at a playground in Astoria. Arden just started playing with their kids and the moms told me that they get together fairly frequently and that I could hang out with them sometimes if I wanted to. Little did they know that was something I had so longed for since the day Arden was born. Other moms who lived close to me that I could support and have fun with and have Arden play with their babies. In NYC, when so many of us have moved here to pursue love and life and careers, we are often far away from family. That can leave a momma feeling rather alone and unsupported. Well, the Astoria moms have taken matters into their own hands and formed a wonderful family of their own. It's funny that I still hesitate to say "we" since they are such a tight knit group and some moms have been together since their babies were newborns - but, we get together for after-nap playdates, trips to the Manhattan Children's museum (Arden and I didn't go :(), playground romps and Friday afternoon happy hour.

Yesterday, Arden, Penny, Mew and I hosted four beautiful moms and babes. We had a great time! The babies ages range from about 7 1/2 months to almost 2 years old. The babies play so well together and the moms have a wonderful time too, as you can imagine.

Cheers Astoria Mommas! Thank you for welcoming Arden and I with open arms!

Odin and Jesse. Odin saying, "Puff"!

Moms - Katie, Jenn and Mara with babies Shyla, Jesse, Arden and you can see a bit of Liora playing piano

Mara and Megan

Liora, Megan's baby

I tried and failed to capture Arden kissing Liora on the top of her head. It was so sweet!

The Destructor Returns

Maybe I should say the demolisher has returned. Arden has her appetite back in full swing on the fourth day of recovery post crazy virus. On the last day of her illness I finally had the idea to buy some baby food again for her to try. I would have done anything to get her to eat even a bit. It was a huge hit as she can apparently now just feed herself with a tolerable amount of mess. She also loves being able to ask for it buy name saying "Peach" for the peach banana oatmeal type and "Pear" for the pureed pears. She ate 6 jars of the stuff yesterday. I better take out some stock in Earth's Best. This is what the destructor ate this afternoon for a late lunch:
-1 4 oz jar of organic peach banana oatmeal
-1/2 chocolate peppermint dove candy (I feel bad if I don't give her a taste of what I'm having sometimes)
-1/4 skinless boneless but breaded chicken breast
-1/2 baked sweet potato
-1/2 cup frozen veggies (peas, carrots, corn and green beans or "bean beans" as Arden calls them
-1/4 croisant
-6 Goldfish crackers (she may have wanted to eat more but those things are addictive and I finished them off)
-2 oz of organic pear puree

Virus

And I don't mean the kind that effects your computer. I mean the kind that knocks your 17 month old out for 10 days with a fever reaching to 103. For all of you that knew Arden has been sick, it seems that today is a turn around day for her. She is actually eating, walking on her own and interested in playing. Nothing to make you grateful for a healthy, happy child than 10 days of a very sick kid.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl

She loves animals in all shapes and sizes. She loves putting little bits of hay in her mouth. She loves running wild and free and, she loves country music. Arden is a cowgirl and had a wonderful time on Mimi and Pop Paw's farm. She has no fear and would run up to Rosy and CJ (aka: the horses) and practically climb the fencing to try to get closer to them. She walked around making kiss sounds at the little gang of chickens and two beautiful peacocks (which she can basically pronounce). She tamed Blue the friskiest cat east of the Mississippi and won the heart of the ever protective and wonderful Chihuahua, Oliva in less than 24 hours. Not to mention tirelessly calling out for Mimi, Pop Paw and Uncle Scott all day long. We had a wonderful visit to Sweetgrass Farm on Wadmalaw Island. Tore up the Charleston Children's museum and demolished some Thai food. Throughly enjoyed the Saturday morning farmer's market and partied the night away with Mimi and Pop Paw's friends. I guess we all know there is nothing like family.

Boy crazy

As my high school politics professor used to say, "You date - to rate - to mate", so, I therefore see no reason Arden shouldn't get an early start. Please meet Noah (age 14 months) and Gideon (age 4). And yes, Arden only befriends biblical boys. Noah joined his mom, dad and my dear friend Rasheeda at our home one evening for her first real play date. They shared spaghetti and fought over the last piece of garlic bread like any good couple. Gideon and Arden met at the playground and promptly hit if off while baking thousands of pretend cookies for yours truly. He called her "little chef" and I just about died.

Say what?

We discovered in reading a tiny book of "Noises" to Arden that she can make many more sounds herself than we even knew. We had no idea that she associated certain sounds with certain things, as you will see. We've been saying for many months that she understands everything but somehow every time she shows us something knew, we find it completely amazing. I am really starting to see how the first-born child personality is molded accolade by accolade. As most of you know, Kyle and I are both first borns so we can say whatever we want about it.

Hay Fever

The girls went for a tiny adventure on Saturday to Wilklow Orchards in the Hudson Valley with our church for a family ministry outing. Arden had a blast making new friends, seeing farm animals and playing in a hay stack for over 1 hour. Mommy was brought to tears only once when the bus trip up took 3 hours instead of the promised 1.5. The kind man sitting in front of us offered a chocolate covered donut as my personal peril was obvious. I declined, but unbenounced to him I had already eaten two donuts that day and would proceed to eat 3 more apple cider donuts immediately upon arrival at the orchard. Anyway, Arden loves to pick up, play in and chew on small things so a big pile of hay was the perfect spot for her. It's amazing what New Yorkers will do for a taste of country life.

Long time no post

Time flies when you forget to update a blog!

Arden is doing well - well, accept for the fact that she likes to hit, slap, pinch, and bite us now. She doesn't seem to "get" punishment yet - kind of in one ear and out the other. Hopefully memory will kick in soon so that "time outs" will register as a consequence for hurting her parents!

She's walking up a storm - almost running, and slowly emulating more words. Her favorite toy is a big red ball that Amber gave her - she loves to throw it and cary it around :)

Arden's 1st Birthday Party

1 Year Checkup

Arden had her 1 year checkup on Monday. She's doing great! Her hight and weight are perfectly average (humorously following the 50th percentile line perfectly). She does have one thing that's a bit unique though….her head. She has a big head right now - 96th percentile (47.5 cm)! Yeah - she get's that from her father. She had vaccination shots as well, but doesn't seem to be suffering ill effects from them. She is developing a growing sense of "the terrible twos syndrome" though. Here come the screams, bites, tantrums, and crying fits! Mommy and Daddy are going to hang on for the ride. As Grammie suggested, distract and redirect!

Arden's 1st Birthday

Arden is 1! We can't believe that we've had her in our lives for a whole year already! We've been doing lots of fun things to celebrate the occasion...

Chocolate Cake and singing (Arden ate a whole piece by herself), lots of presents, and Kyle's Dad and his wife came out for a visit. Needless to say, things have been rather exciting. We even went to Central Park today for a fun family and friends picnic get together.

Arden's favorite present? Probably Aunt Corrie's refrigerator magnets that make farm animal noises. She likes her toy piano that we got her too!

Walking Update

We're closing in on Arden's birthday! Kyle's father and his wife are coming in town for the event. It's going to be an exciting time with what looks like stellar weather!

Arden is teething like CRAZY. She's being a trooper, but needing extra care. There may be as many as 6 teeth coming at the same time.

She has also learned how to stand herself up without a prop! She's getting very steady. Running is right around the corner…..

Arden Walking

Here she is! It's only a matter of time before the wobble turns into a run!

Fire Island Trip

We just got back from a fun trip on Fire Island with Aunt Lauren, and Michael and Melinda Canipe! We went out on Saturday morning and spent time resting, eating, and walking along the beach. Arden was a bit wary of the ocean. Seeing as it was her 1st time, she did very well. She enjoyed playing in the sand (away from the water) and practiced taking baby steps in the house. Arden also loved spending time with everyone. Being the center of attention is always a wonderful experience! Just about two weeks until Arden's 1st birthday! Time has flown….